‘Cherish the Ladies’ coming to Newton in December

Saturday

Nov 24, 2012 at 7:00 AM

By Ashley Bergner Newton Kansan

From the dancing notes of the fiddle to the lilting tones of the flute, traditional Celtic folk music continues to delight audiences with both sweeping ballads and dizzyingly fast reels. Local music lovers will have a chance to get a taste of this type of traditional Irish music through an upcoming concert at the Fox Historic Theatre in Newton. The Irish musical group “Cherish the Ladies” will be presenting “A Celtic Christmas” concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. General admission tickets are $27 and are available through SelectASeat.com, Dillons outlets (South Dillons in Newton), or at the Fox Theatre Box Office (cash or checks only) from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 24 and Dec. 1. The city of Newton’s Community Advancement Coordinator Barb Burns, who is involved with efforts to revitalize the Fox, said she was impressed the first time she listened to Cherish the Ladies’ music. “(It) was beautiful,” she said. “It’s an ethereal, Irish sound.” The group has performed all across the globe and has earned high praise from reviewers. The Boston Globe said, “Cherish the Ladies has been a leading group in the Irish traditional world ... it is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do.” The New York Times adds the group’s music “expands the annals of Irish music in America ... the music is passionate, tender and rambunctious.” Burns said she is excited about the acts the Fox has been able to bring into Newton, in a variety of musical styles: blues, jazz, country, Gospel and Celtic. While the Fox doesn’t offer as many seats as larger theaters, many times top-name performers enjoy having a chance to play in a smaller, more intimate venue, where they can interact more with the audience. Burns encourages community members who would like to attend the concert to purchase tickets as soon as possible, because she thinks the show has a good chance of selling out. “We think it will be a good turnout,” she said. “... People are really jumping on this.” Burns said the tickets would make a good early Christmas gift or a fun outing for a group. She’s even heard of an organization that plans to take employees to the show as their office Christmas party. For more information about Fox Theatre events and ticket sales, visit www.foxnewton.com or call 804-8475.